Door check and closer.



No. 747,757. v PATENTBD DEC. 22,.190s

F.H.OGDEN.

DOOR CHECK AND OLOSER.

APPLIOATION FILED 001'. 16, 1902.

no MODEL. z sums-SHEET 1.

No. 747,757. PATENTED DEO.22,1903 F. H. OGDEN.

DOOR CHECK AND 01403311.

APPLIUATION FILED OUT. 16, 1902.

7 Z0 v IX ZZ x WEQES r 7' A 7 W INVENTOR f I'M A. 'ORNEYS UNITED STATES Patented December 22, 1903.

PATENT OFFICE.

DOOR CHECK AND CLOSER.-

$PECIFIGATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 747,757, dated December 22, 1903.

Application filed October 16, 1902. $eria1No. 127,467. (No model.) 7

To a whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, FREDERICK H. OGDEN,a citizen of the United States, residing in Reading, in the county of Berks and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and usefulImpi-ovementsin Door Checks and Closers; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the same.

My invention relates to improvements in door checks and closers, and particularly to concealed door checks and closers and to donble-acting spring mechanism of door-closers,

the art to which it appertains to make and use.

whereby the device is adapted for closing struction of the spring mechanism of the door-closer, in the novel means employed for transmitting motion from the door to the spring and checking mechanism, in the novel construction of the casing whereby a jointin the bottom thereof is avoided, and in other features of invention, as hereinafter pointed out in the claims.

i The objects of my invention are to conceal the door check and closer within the casing of the doorway, to render the device adaptable without change or adjustment of its internal mechanism either to right-hand or lefthand or to centrally-hung doors, to cause a single spring to close the door however that door may be hung, and to make the whole device simple, compact, durable, and. inexpensive.

I will now proceed to describe'my invention with reference to theaccompanyingdrawings and will then point out the novel features in claims.

In the drawings, Figure l is a side view of the check as applied to a right hand door, the upper portion of the door-casing being broken away. Fig. 2 is a top view of the device as adapted for a right-hand door. Fig. 3 shows a vertical section of the device through the center of the spindle thereof, the plane ofsection'being at right angles to Fig, 1. Fig. lis a top view of the device, in

which a portion of the top plate has been broken away to show the spring mechanism beneath, the gears being also omitted. Fig. 5showsa central vertical section of the device, the plane of section being parallel with Fig. 1, and also shows the manner of adapting the device for controlling a centrallyhung door. Fig. 6 shows a horizontal section of the device looking downward on the section-line X X of Fig. 5. Fig. 7 is a detail view showing in transverse section the guide way in the top of the door. Fig. 8 is adetail top view of this guideway.

The door check and closer consists of a box 1, arranged to be mortised into the doorcasing and containing within it a checkingcylinder 2. cylinder'is pivoted at one end, so as to be In the form of'device shown this capable of oscillating; but I do not limit my- Upon the sleeve 4, carrying the eccentric,

is mounted a spring-winding bushing 8, projecting upward through the top of the box 1 and provided at its upper end with a ratchettoothed head 9. Upon the bushing 8 is mounted a short sleeve 10, fitting somewhat closely within the bearing-hole of the cover-plate 11 of the box 1. a radial downwardly-turned projection 12,

1 arranged to engage the outei'end of the spring 13, the inner end of which is engaged by the bushing 8, as shown particularly in Fig. 6. A lug 14, projecting from one wall of box 1, forms a stop for the member 10 12, which constitutes a second spring-winding member. Sleeve 10 is provided with a projecting lug 15, adapted to be engaged by a pin 16, carried by a swinging arm 17. A ring 18, having a bearingon the circular lip 19, surrounding the bearing-holein cover-plate 11, is provided with a similar lug 20, likewise adapted to be engaged by pin 16. The construction is such that if the arm 17 swings in one direction from its normal neutral position lug This sleeve 10 is provided with and sleeve 10 12 are rotated, while if said arm rotates in the opposite direction from its normal neutral position lug and ring 18 are rotated, lug l5 and sleeve 10 12 being held stationary by the stop-lug 14, projecting from the wall of the box 1. (See Fig. 6.) When lug l5 and sleeve 10 12 are rotated by arm 17 and pin 16, ring 18 is held stationary against the tension of the spring by a stoplug 21, Fig. 2, projecting up from the coverplate 11. The lug 20 of ring 18 carries a pawl 33, adapted to engage the teeth of the ratchethead 9. By means of this ratchet-head and the pawl 33 the tension of the spring may be adjusted as desired. This ring is, in fact, a movable section of bushing 8, being functionally a part thereof, but movable with respect thereto to permit adjustment of the spring tension.

This door check and closer is adapted without change of adj ustment of its internal mechanism for use either for right-hand or lefthand doors or for centrally hung double swinging doors. For this purpose the box 1 is provided on each side with a V-groove 22, adapted to receive a bracket 23, having bearings for the spindle 24 of the check. This bracket, with its spindle, is inserted in the groove 22 on the one side or the other of the box 1, according as the check is to be used for a right-hand or for a left-hand door. The spindle is connected to the door by a lever 25 and roller 26, working in a grooved plate 36, set into the top of the door. At the upper end of said spindle is a gear 27, intermeshing with anothergear 28, mounted upon a dummy spindle 29, having a hearing within the hollow bearing-post 3 and carrying the swinging arm 17, above mentioned. The bracket 23 when in place is secured by means of screws or in anyother suitable manner. Since it is desirable to be able to adjust this bracket vertically to regulate its position according to the form of the molding of the door-casing, slots may be provided in the bracket 23 to receive the screws, and washers 31 of different thicknesses may be inserted between the bracket 23 and the lever 25, according to the position to Which said bracket is adjusted. The dummy spindle 29 is preferably held in place by means of a screw 32, entering its lower end.

When the door check and closer is to be used with a centrally-swinging door, it is mounted directly above the door, the spindle 24 being inserted within the bearing-post 3 in place of the dummy spindle 29, which latter is then omitted from the device, as is the bracket 23, the spindle 24 then engaging the swinging arm 17 in the same manner as dummy spindle 29 formerly engaged it. The spindle 24 is then held in place by a screw 32 and a washer, as shownin Fig. 5. In practice this washer is the same gear 27 which when the parts are arranged as in Figs. 1 to 3, inclusive, serves for transmitting motion to the dummy spindle. In practice each check is man ufactured complete with bracket 23,gears 27 and 28, and a dummy spindle 29. These parts are all shipped with the check, and the purchaser uses the check in one way or the other, according to the type of door with which it is to be used.

The guide-plate 36 preferably overlaps the upper side of the friction-roller 26, as shown in Fig. 7, so as to neutralize any possible tendency of the arm 25 to spring up, and in order that said roller may be inserted the slot in the top of the guide is enlarged at one point 37.

The checking-cylinder may be arranged to work either with air or with liquid, such as oil. I prefer to use liquid in the check and have shown the piston as provided with the ordinary check-valve 38 and with a leakageport39, the How through which is regulated by aspring-valve,such as described in my Patent No. 672,237, dated April 16, 1901; but any other regulating device may be used instead. When used as a Iiquidcheck, the box 1 forms a reservoir for the liquid, holding sufficient to enable the check to operate for a long period of time without attention. The checking mechanism, like the spring mechanism, is double-acting, operating equally well in whichever direction the door swings from or to the closed position. Since the spindle 24 is arranged to have its bearing in the hollow bearing-post 3, which bearing-postreaches nearly to the top of the box 1 and much above the level of the liquid in said box, there is no danger of leakage of oil, there being no joint in the bottom or sides of the box through which oil can escape.

Heretofore concealed door checks have usually been located in the floor beneath the door and have been connected thereto at the heel of the door bya spindle forming one pivot for the door. These checks have the disadvantage that the leverage exerted by the check upon the door is very small, and therefore the strain upon the mechanism of the check is very great, as likewise is the strain upon the door. Moreover, such checks cannot be protected well from dirt, which is apt to work into the check around the spindle. Also such checks cannot be adapted readily to doors which are hung at the side nor to doors having double-acting hinges. By locating the check in the casing above the door it is much better protected against the entry of dust or dirt and also against accidental injury -as, for example, when furniture is being moved through the doorand, furthermore, a check such as above described may be located with its spindle some distance away from the hinge of the door, so that the check operates with greater leverage and neither the mechanism of the check nor the doorare subjected to such severe strain. Furthermore, as the door nears the closed position and the roller 26 moves outward in the guideway 36' the leverage of the check increases,

IIO

I thus givingthe check the greatest leverage Y 4. In a door-closer, the combination with a at the time when the greatest checking action is required.

My improved check and closer can also beused with doors having double-acting hinges.

It is obvious that the spring mechanism of my combined door check and closer is adapted to be used as a door-closing device without the checking mechanism-and also is adapted to be used in other types of checks besides concealed checks such as herein illustrated and described. It is also obvious that the checking mechanism of my combined door check and closer is adapted to be used as a door-check without the spring mechanism. It is also obvious thatthe construction of both the'checking mechanism and the spring mechanism may be varied greatly without departing from the essential principles of myinvention, and therefore I do not limit myself to the particular constructions herein illustrated and described.

What I claim is- I 1. In a door-closer, the combination with a spring-casing, a spring therein, two rotary spring-winding members engaging opposite winding member engaging one end of said spring, a second spring-winding member rotatively mounted on the first spring-winding member and engaging the other end of'said spring, each of said members having a portion external to the casing, such external portion of one member having spring-adjusting means comprising a movable sectionand a ratchet and pawl, stops for said members, and means for supporting said members, of a rotary arm arranged to engage such external portion of the one member or the other, according to the direction inwhich said arm is rotated. V

'3. In a door-closer, the combination with a spring-chamber, a spring therein, and a cover for said chamber, of a spring-winding member engaging one end of said spring, a second spring-winding member engaging the other end of said spring, an arm arranged to engage one of said members when moved in one direction, a stop for that member, a ring having a bearing on 'a circular boss formed on the cover, said ring engaged by said arm when moved in the opposite direction, .and having a pawl engaging ratchet-teeth on the other of said spring-winding members, and a stop for said ring.

spring-chamber, and a helical spring therein, of a central spring-winding member engaging the inner end of said spring, a second concentric spring-winding member having a lat- ,eral downwardly-turned projection engaging the outer end of said spring, an arm arranged ed, engaged bytsaid arm when moved in the opposite direction, a-ndhaving a pawl engaging ratchetteeth'on the other of said springwinding members, and a stop for said pawl-' carrying member.

5. In a'door-closer, the combination with a spring chamber having an integral bearinghaving a bearing in said post, an arm arranged to be rotated thereby and adapted to engage one-of said spring-winding members when moved in one direction, a stop for that member, a revolubly-mounted pawl carrying member engaged by said arm when'movedin the opposite direction, having a pawl engaging ratchet-teeth on the other of said spring-winding members, and a stop for said pawl-carrying member.

6, In a door-closer, the combination with a spring-chamber having an integral hollow bearing-postprojecting from one wall thereof, aspring surrounding said post,'two concentric spring-Winding members surrounding and supported by said post and engaging opposite ends of'said spring, and stops for the same, of a shaft revolubly mounted in said post, an arm thereon adapted to engage one or the other of said spring-windingmem bers, according to the direction in which saidarm is rotated, and stops for said springwinding members. v

7. In a door-closer, the combination Witha spring-chamber having an integral hollow bearing-post projecting from one wall thereof, a spring surrounding said post, two concentric spring-winding members engaging opposite ends of said spring, and stops for the same, of a shaft revolubly mounted in said post, an arm thereon adapted to engage one or the other ofsaid spring-windingmembers,

according to the directionin which said arm is rotated, and stops for said spring-windingmembers, one of said members having a movable section and a ratchet andpawl, for adjusting spring tension.

l zo

a piston, an operating device having a bearing in said post, means external to the casing for communicating motion to said operating device, and means for communicating motion from said operating device to said sleeve.

9. In a door-closer, the combination with a casing, double-acting spring mechanism therein, a spindle, and means for communicating motion therefrom to said spring mechanism in whichever direction said spindle may rotate from its neutral position, of a secondspindle mounted in bearings external to said spring mechanism, and interchangeable from one side of the casing to the other, means for connecting said second spindle to a door, and gearing connecting said spindles.

10. In a door-closer, the combination with a casing, spring mechanism therein, a spindle, and means for communicating motion to said spring mechanism, of a second spindle mounted in hearings at the side of the casing, means connected to said second spindle near the lower edge of the casing for connecting it to a door, and gearing connecting said spindles.

11. In a door-check, the combination with a closed casing, adapted to contain a liquid, a checking-cylinder and piston therein, a spindle, and an eccentric, within the casing, connected to the spindle to rotate therewith, said eccentric connected to the piston to reciprocate the same with relation to its cylinder, of a second spindle mounted in hearings on the outside of said casing, and provided with means for connecting it to a door, and gearing connecting said spindles.

12. In a door-check, the combination with a casing, a checkingcylinder and piston therein, a spindle, and an eccentric, within the casing, connected to the spindle to rotate therewith, said eccentric connected to the piston to reciprocate the same with relation to its cylinder, the eccentric being at dead-center in the closed position of the door and arranged to move to eitherside of its dead-centeraccording to the direction of opening of the door, of a second spindle mounted in bearings on the outside of the casing and interchangeable from one side of the casing to the other, and provided with means for connecting it to a door, and gearing connecting said spindles.

13. In a door-check, the combination with a casing having a bearing-post integrally formed therewith, said post having within it a bearing-orifice extending from the outside of the casing to the interior thereof,and checking mechanism, of a spindle having a bearing in said post, means for communicating motion from said spindle to the checking mechanism, and means for connecting said spindle to a door.

14. In a door-closer, the combination with a casing, and double-acting spring mechanism therein, of a spindle, a hearing-piece therefor adapted to be secured to either side of said casing at will, and means for communicating motion from said spindle to the spring mechanism.

15. In a door-check, the combination with a casing, and checking mechanism therein, of a spindle, a bearing-piece therefor adapted to be secured to either side of said casing at will, and means for communicating motion from said spindle to the checking mechanism.

16. In a device of the class described, the combination with a casing, of a spindle, a bearing therefor secured to the side of the casing and adjustable vertically, and means for communicating motion from said spindle to mechanism within the casing.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

FREDERICK H. OGDEN.

Witnesses:

C. F. UARRINGTON, H. M. MARBLE. 

